There has been discussion across campus for years about which living community is the best. Where you live should be easily accessible, comfortable and feel like home.

Home is where everything is close by — where you are close to your neighbors, physically or emotionally. Home isn’t spread out in long hallways. Closeness creates more interactions, which can lead to great friendships and a mental health support system right on your floor. Hinman does this perfectly. The dorm rooms are close together, with several rooms per floor.

Home is also where you create memories. As run-down as Hinman may seem, the building’s stories may stick in your mind forever, like the broken elevator in Hughes Hall, or staying up late discussing and scaring your floormates in Smith Hall about the haunted stories or sitting at the open common room tables in the middle of the floor greeting your neighbor. If this doesn’t scream home, then what does?

So, let us settle the debate and rank the living communities once and for all. Coming in at number one, with a battle for the top spot, is Dickinson. Their suites give off a hotel vibe with their high floors and modern glass windows. Dickinson is basically a Marriott hotel on campus, but is Dickinson home? No! There’s a difference between a home and a hotel. A home is smaller and cozier and gives you a close-knit feeling with your neighbors, while a hotel is extremely modern and is meant to feel less cozy, giving you space between you and your neighbors. Its makeshift common rooms or living rooms are also equivalent to the one little couch, chair and mini table that Marriott likes to throw in. The thing is, Dickinson doesn’t even give you a little couch or chair — it gives you a kitchen sink with extra counter space that is supposed to work as a table. That doesn’t give “home” like Hinman’s common rooms.

Newing is basically tied for first because it is essentially a Dickinson dupe. In other words, it’s a Hyatt hotel. Number two would be Mountainview, for sure. Some will say Mountainview is the best because of its huge suites. But even though the inside is nice, it is a trek to the rest of campus. Isn’t home supposed to be easy to get to? What if you get injured and can’t climb the hill? Well, not for me personally! Hinman has no hill and gives easy access to a dining hall, convenience store, lecture hall and other classrooms.

Coming in at number three would be College-in-the-Woods. Some will say College-in-the-Woods is the best because everyone knows each other and it feels more like a community. It also has its own library and a nearby dining hall. However, College-in-the-Woods’ dining hall closes earlier than the others, and at times, the options cater more to gluten-free and vegan eaters.

Where does Old Dickinson fall on the scale? The talk around campus barely surrounds Old Dickinson. Its buildings are old and far from most things. It doesn’t have as much relevance as Hinman. At least Hinman is talked about! Hinman is seen as less modern because, yes, some of the elevators take a long time, but as college students, you need to get your steps in. Take the stairs!

Hinman is definitely underrated. Come room selection time, Hinman usually has a lot of open spots. That’s clear proof that people aren’t choosing Hinman as one of their top two choices. The campus tour shows the old Hughes building, the showroom and the broken elevator, giving Hinman altogether a bad look. What also throws people off is the lack of air conditioning. There is none unless you are a freshman in Cleveland Hall. But the less money you spend on air conditioning, the more you can put toward a powerful fan. Why pay extra for AC you will only use for a short time? The Binghamton cold usually lasts from mid-October to mid-March. A good heating system should be the main focus, and when it comes to that, Hinman delivers.

Yes, yes and yes, these are the downsides, but if you really value life outside of a pretty building, then you’ll understand. Hinman is smaller and cozier because it has fewer floors, and most of its common rooms are right in the middle of the floor, giving you more exposure to your neighbors and creating a smaller, safe feel. The Hinman rooms aren’t the only things that are close. Residences are very close to Hinman Dining Hall. In extreme cold, snowstorms or heavy rain, its right there, less than a three-minute walk away. No trek or walk through the woods is needed in negative two-degree weather. Starbucks, the sandwich deli and even the fried-food spot are the main hotspots. Having the upgraded Market at Hinman is also a blessing. Pads, pain relievers, gum, small salads and other necessities are available for quick grabs. Roosevelt is a great building to live in, especially dining hall-wise.

Living in Hinman my freshman year had great benefits. Not exactly a morning person, living in Hughes let me wake up much later and still walk to my early lecture just minutes before it started. Everything was so close and accessible. It may not have been as pretty as a Hilton hotel, but it definitely helped me acclimate, make friends and good connections and step outside my comfort zone.

At the end of the day, Hinman is home!

Tamara Guitaud is a sophomore majoring in philosophy, politics and law.

Views expressed in the opinions pages represent the opinions of the columnists. The only piece that represents the view of the Pipe Dream Editorial Board is the Staff Editorial.